Opening a Chase checking account does not cost money upfront
Chase does not charge a fee to open a checking account. You can walk into a branch, call their phone line, or open an account online without paying an opening fee. However, once the account is open, you may face monthly fees depending on which account type you choose and whether you meet certain conditions.
The real cost question is not whether opening is free—it is whether you can keep the account open without paying monthly maintenance charges. That depends on the specific account and what you do with it.
Key Takeaways
- Chase charges no fee to open a checking account, whether you open it online, by phone, or in a branch.
- Monthly maintenance fees range from $0 to $15 depending on the account type and whether you meet balance or deposit requirements.
- Chase find Checking has no monthly fee and no minimum balance requirement, making it the lowest-cost option.
- You can waive monthly fees on most accounts by maintaining a minimum balance, setting up direct deposit, or using Chase's mobile app for statements.
The three main Chase checking accounts and their monthly costs
Chase Total Checking has a $12 monthly maintenance fee, but you can waive it by maintaining a $500 minimum balance, setting up direct deposit, or having a linked Chase savings account with a $500 balance. This is Chase's most common account.
Chase find Checking has no monthly fee and no minimum balance requirement. It is designed for people building credit or with a limited banking history. The tradeoff is that it comes with a debit card that requires pre-approval for each transaction, and you cannot overdraft.
Chase Premier Plus Checking has a $25 monthly maintenance fee and requires a $25,000 minimum balance to waive it. This account is aimed at people with higher balances and includes benefits like higher interest rates and fee waivers on other products.
How to avoid monthly fees
The easiest way to avoid fees is to choose find Checking, which has no monthly charge at all. If you prefer Total Checking, you have three paths to waive the $12 fee: keep $500 in the account at all times, set up direct deposit from your employer or benefits, or link a Chase savings account with $500 in it.
Direct deposit is the most common waiver method because it requires no balance sitting idle. If your employer or benefits provider sends money to your account electronically, that counts. You do not need a large amount—even a small recurring deposit works.
If you cannot meet any of these conditions, you will pay $12 per month. Over a year, that is $144. If you are deciding between Chase and another bank, compare what that bank charges for the same features you actually use.
What happens if you cannot avoid the fee
If you do not meet the waiver conditions and cannot switch accounts, you have options. You can close the account at any time without penalty—Chase does not charge a closing fee. You can also move your money to a different bank and open an account there instead.
Before you close, check whether you have any pending transactions or automatic payments tied to the account. Give yourself a few days to make sure everything has cleared, then contact Chase to close it formally. You can do this online, by phone, or in a branch.
Fees that are separate from the monthly maintenance charge
Opening the account is free, and the monthly fee is the main cost. But Chase charges for other things: overdraft fees ($35 per transaction), out-of-network ATM fees ($2.50 per withdrawal), wire transfer fees ($15 domestic, $20 international), and stop-payment fees ($30). These are not automatic—you only pay them if you use those services.
Overdraft protection is worth understanding. If you overdraft your account, Chase will charge $35 per transaction that goes negative. You can turn off overdraft protection so transactions straightforward decline instead, which costs nothing. Many people do this to avoid surprise fees.
Opening the account online versus in a branch
Opening online is faster and you can do it anytime. You will need a valid ID, a Social Security number, and an initial deposit (usually $25 minimum, though this can vary). The account is usually ready to use within a few minutes, though it may take a day or two for the debit card to arrive.
Opening in a branch takes longer but gives you a chance to ask questions and understand the account before committing. You will need the same documents. Either way, there is no fee to open.
If you open online and later realize you chose the wrong account type, you can call Chase and switch to a different checking account at no cost. This is not a permanent decision.
What you need to bring or provide
To open any Chase checking account, you will need a government-issued photo ID, your Social Security number, and an initial deposit. Chase accepts most major forms of ID: driver's license, passport, state ID card, or military ID. You will also need a current mailing address.
If you are opening online, you can upload photos of your ID or answer security questions to verify your identity. If you are opening in a branch, bring the ID with you. The initial deposit can come from a debit card, another bank account, or cash if you are in a branch.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I open a Chase checking account if I have been denied before?
Chase uses ChexSystems, a banking history report, to decide whether to open accounts. If you were denied, it was likely because of unpaid overdrafts, fraud, or other issues in that report. You can request your ChexSystems report for free and dispute errors. Chase find Checking is sometimes available to people who were denied other accounts, so ask about it specifically.
Do I have to keep a minimum balance to avoid fees?
Not if you choose find Checking—it has no minimum balance and no monthly fee. For Total Checking, you need either $500 in the account, direct deposit, or a linked savings account with $500. You do not have to keep the balance there forever; you just need it at the end of each statement period.
What if I want to close my account right after opening it?
You can close a Chase checking account anytime without penalty or fee. There is no waiting period. Just make sure any pending transactions have cleared first, and contact Chase to formally close it. You can do this online, by phone, or in a branch.
Does Chase charge to transfer money between my own accounts?
No. Moving money between your own Chase checking and savings accounts is free. Transfers to accounts at other banks are also free if you use Chase's online transfer tool, though wire transfers (which are faster) cost $15 domestic and $20 international.
Will opening a checking account hurt my credit score?
No. Opening a checking account does not appear on your credit report and does not affect your credit score. Chase may check your banking history using ChexSystems, but that is separate from your credit report and does not impact your score.